Dynamical and structural insights into the smectic phase of rod-like particles

Self-diffusion in a model system of rod-like particles is studied in the smectic (or lamellar) phase. The experimental system is formed by a colloidal suspension of filamentous fd virus particles, which allows the direct visualization at the scale of the single particle of mass transport between the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of physics. Condensed matter 2008-12, Vol.20 (49), p.494213-494213 (6)
Main Authors: Grelet, Eric, Paul Lettinga, M, Bier, Markus, van Roij, René, van der Schoot, Paul
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chemical Physics
Chemical Sciences
Chemistry
Colloidal state and disperse state
Exact sciences and technology
General and physical chemistry
or physical chemistry
Physical and chemical studies. Granulometry. Electrokinetic phenomena
Physics
Theoretical and
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Summary:Self-diffusion in a model system of rod-like particles is studied in the smectic (or lamellar) phase. The experimental system is formed by a colloidal suspension of filamentous fd virus particles, which allows the direct visualization at the scale of the single particle of mass transport between the smectic layers. Self-diffusion takes place preferentially in the direction normal to the smectic layers and occurs in steps of one rod length, reminiscent of a hopping-type of transport. The probability density function is obtained experimentally at different times and is found to be in qualitative agreement with theoretical predictions based on a dynamical density functional theory.
ISSN:0953-8984
1361-648X
DOI:10.1088/0953-8984/20/49/494213